Building Confidence and Career Direction: Clevon Biggs’ Experience in The Lighthouse Career Development Program
For many employees, career growth isn’t just about learning new tasks, it’s about building confidence, finding direction, and discovering what’s possible. At The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc., the Career Development Program (CDP) was created to support exactly that.
In 2025, the program brought together production employees from Seattle and Spokane to explore leadership, communication, and career planning in a supportive, accessible environment. One of those participants was Clevon Biggs, a production worker who joined The Lighthouse less than a year ago and quickly embraced the opportunity to challenge himself.
“I really did it for the challenge,” Clevon shared. “I didn’t have any expectations going into it. It was just one of those things like, ‘Hey, they’re doing this, let’s try it out.’”
A Program Designed for Real Growth
The next cohort of the Career Development Program launched in March 2025 with a cohort of 12 employees. Through monthly workshops, one-on-one coaching, and assistive technology training, participants explored both personal and professional development topics, including:
- Succeeding in a team
- Emotional intelligence in the workplace
- Presenting ideas and public speaking
- Conflict to collaboration
- Change and our responses to change
- Business etiquette and workplace culture
- LinkedIn and marketing yourself
- Understanding employment rights under the ADA
By the end of the year, seven employees completed the full program and graduated in January 2026.
Stepping Outside the Comfort Zone
For Clevon, one of the most impactful parts of the program was public speaking—something he openly admits did not come easily.
“Public speaking was not my strong suit at all,” he said. “Getting up in front of everybody, especially being recorded at the same time, was a challenge for me.”
Early in the program, participants were asked to deliver a three-minute presentation. For Clevon, that moment marked a turning point.
“Just getting over that fear and realizing you miss 100% of the shots you don’t take really stuck with me,” he said. “It helped me build confidence.”
That confidence didn’t stay in the classroom. Clevon says it now shows up in how he communicates at work and in everyday interactions.
Learning the Power of Communication
Another major takeaway from the program was learning how to communicate effectively, especially when navigating challenges or differences in the workplace.
“If you’re having an issue with somebody, there’s a way to talk to a person about it,” Clevon explained. “You don’t have to be rude. You can be firm, but polite—and open the line of discussion.”
Workshops on emotional intelligence and conflict resolution helped participants understand that not every issue needs to escalate. Often, honest communication between coworkers can lead to better outcomes for everyone.
That lesson resonated deeply with Clevon and reinforced skills he now uses daily.
Exploring Career Paths and Professional Identity
Many participants entered the program without a clearly defined career goal. The Career Development Program created space to explore possibilities—whether that meant advancing within The Lighthouse, pursuing additional education, or considering new paths altogether.
For Clevon, sessions on professional etiquette, workplace culture, and LinkedIn introduced tools he hadn’t previously considered.
“I never really played with LinkedIn before,” he said. “But seeing how people use it to put themselves out there—it made me think, ‘Why not give it a shot?’”
The program emphasized that career development isn’t one-size-fits-all. Instead, it’s about gaining clarity, confidence, and control over your own direction.
Technology Skills That Make an Immediate Impact
A key component of the 2025 program was the partnership with The Lighthouse Computer Unit. Most participants enrolled in assistive technology training, improving digital skills they could apply immediately.
For several employees, this meant increased independence at work. One participant even received a laptop through Computers for the Blind and later joined the organization’s Audit Committee—an example of how skills development can open new doors.
“Just Go All In”
When asked what he would say to future participants, Clevon didn’t hesitate.
“If you’re thinking about doing it—just go all in,” he said. “Don’t hold anything back. Whatever you put into it, you’ll get out of it.”
That mindset reflects the broader impact of the Career Development Program: creating space for employees to step forward, taking ownership of their growth, and build skills that extend far beyond a single role.
As Clevon put it, being part of the program meant “being in a room with different minds” and learning from peers as much as from instructors.
And for The Lighthouse, that shared learning is exactly the point.
